Rugby Lions suffered a disappointing defeat against an aggressive Hull Ionians side who seem to be fighting their clear of relegation trouble.

Rugby reached the 40 minutes point at 7-7 despite playing against a stiff breeze and having suffered a sinbinning but two tries, one in first-half added time and the other on the restart, left them too far adrift on a day when their attacking cutting edge was missing.

The Ionians pack were as always bigger than Rugby’s and had an aggressive attitude that was in no way curbed by disappointing officials.

A weak clearance from Lions into the wind set up Ionians for their first try on 6 minutes, James Ferguson scoring and Joe Wright converting.

Jack Green’s penalty hit a post but Lions soon cancelled out the opening try when Tom Harris collected an awkward pass to coast over the line, Green converting impressively from wide out on the left on 13 minutes.

But Sam Collins, given his first start filling in for the unavailable Lloyd Warner at full back, had to leave the pitch with a leg injury to be replaced by John Carruthers, who played right wing with Jeff Gregson moving to full back.

For some reason, Rugby looked to keep the ball among the hard-pressed forwards and scrum half Justin Parker seemed content to use the slowest of ball from breakdowns which never seemed to give the backs any room to exploit their greater speed.

There were a series of scuffles and after one, Lions hooker Ben Spokes looked unlucky to be singled out for a yellow card.

But Rugby’s tackling for the most part looked secure and Ionians were unable to score with their man advantage.

Lions had just defended strongly against a series of Ionians drives to take the game all square into first-half added time but then home scrum half Adam Thomas found a gap to score to give his side an interval lead.

Then on the restart, Stephen Slingsby exploited what was for once poor Lions tackling to add a third try which, when converted, left Rugby well behind at 19-7.

Lions did not manage to take advantage of the wind any better than Hull had but disappointingly any half chances were lost through poor decision making or poor execution.

On 48 minutes, Rugby won a very kickable penalty but instead ran the ball and were forced into touch.

That turned out to be the decision that cost Lions the consolation of a missed bonus point for they did not score in the second half until the 73rd minute, a penalty kicked by Phil Reed with Green needing treatment for a leg injury.

Ionians were then able to play out time in Rugby’s half to prevent any more threat to their lead and to record a double over Lions this season.

Rugby Lions: Collins, Gregson, Marston, Reed, Harris, Green, Parker, Williams, Spokes, Major, Weaver, Braband, Saunders, Nash, Campton. Reps Bradshaw, Carruthers, Barker, Price, Pateman